Ding a ling, Ryanair on time yet again.
Fleck
Tue 1 Jul 2014 13:03
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Tuesday, 1st July, 2014
Porto das Lajes, Flores, Acores? Azzorre?
Azores?
39:22.783N 31:10.208W
Yesterday I made allusions to the luxury of
airtravel, but I forgot Ryanair! Anyway after a great meal out, and a
moderately restful night, I am again reflecting that the satisfaction of an
arrival from the sea: whether by yacht or even a big cruise
ship, always contrasts very favourably with the assualt on
all the senses that await the weary stiff limbed traveller as the cabin doors of
an aeroplane open into a foreign airport (even when you don't have to put up
with the lilting smug Irish voiceover announcing that despite all the
indignations you have suffered, at least you are not behind the target arrival
time that the Airline have presumably so generouusly set for
themselves).
And so it came to pass that I crashed over the tide
rip and associated seas off the SW tip of Flores in the early afternoon
yesterday, and found that the key anchoring spot (room for only one, in a
shallow sandy bay, just outside the Marina entrance) was vacant. Hook down and
ashore in the dinghy, and relief in discovering that the young (they all seem
young these days) harbourmaster had mastered perfect English as a result of
world wide video gaming from his childhood bedroom just up the coast. Very
gentle process of checking in, and I can use the Marina dock to land my dinghy,
and the tap to replenish my water, and If I can stand it (it is hot but not
tropical here) take a cold shower. All for free, saving the charge of 13Euros a
day to secure to a pontoon. Lajes and it seems the whole Island very
pretty. A lot of new roads, and indeed all the mrinas, are courtesy of the
EU, just like Ireland. No wonder that man with the perpetually half filled beer
glass wants us out! Excellent, and by Bermudan standards affordable, restaurant
yesterday evening, albeit a three Km, but pleasant hike
uphill.
Must close, need to catch the dailky bus up to
Santa Cruz, the Capital(!), this afternoon.
No more regular blogs for a while, unless I'm
particularly inspired/distressed!
Fleckskipper
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